PCB in race against time to get National Stadium ready

Grand finale of cash-rich T20 league will take place in Karachi on March 25

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in a race against time to complete the renovation work currently ongoing at the National Stadium of Karachi before it hosts the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) third edition.

The PSL’s title decider will take place in Sindh’s provincial capital on March 25.

The third edition of Pakistan’s cash-rich league will begin from February 22 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with two of the three play-offs taking place in Lahore.

PCB chairman Najam Sethi announced last year that this year the tournament’s final will take place in Karachi, and that a complete overhaul of the city’s derelict stadium will take place to make sure it meets the requirements of the mega events.

The renovation process, which is expected to cost Rs1.5billion to the PCB, is underway at the stadium but it is uncertain whether work will be completed before the March 25 deadline.

However, as per Daily Express, the PCB has decided that the National Stadium of Karachi will host the final even if the renovation works are not completed in time.

With less than five weeks remaining in the final, renovation work is underway in the dressing room, whereas pitch and outfield preparations are also in the process.

KWSB to help PCB during PSL final

Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) Managing Director Hashim Raza Zaidi has assured the PCB that his organisation will assist the board in the successful organisation of the PSL final.

The KWSB will set up a camp at the stadium, and will have numerous water tankers, rodding machines and other equipment on the site in order to fulfill all water-related requirements.

Zaidi passed those directives in a high-profile meeting where other senior personnel of the organisation; Technical Services Managing Director Asad Ullah Khan, chief engineer Ghulam Qadir Abbas, superintendent engineer Rehman Sheikh and superintendent engineer east Imdad Magsi were present.

Zaidi also asked his subordinates to make sure that there is better coordination between the KWSB and the PCB for the mega event.

Lahore Qalandars to arrive in UAE

Both season’s bottom finishing side Lahore Qalandars will arrive in the UAE on Thursday for the PSL.

The team, which is led by former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, will be the first side to reach the country to participate in the tournament.

Defending champions Peshawar Zalmi will reach the Emirates on Friday, whereas last year’s finalist Quetta Gladiators, first edition’s champions Islamabad United and new comers Multan Sultan will land on Saturday.

Karachi Kings will be the last franchise to reach the country, arriving on Sunday.